Spirituality beyond division: Kamran Ahmad explores soul of Indus

His most recent book, The Goddess of Indus, is a piece of fiction. This is his first attempt at fiction; his writings are

Kamran Ahmad, a PhD holder in spirituality and religious tolerance from Canada, visited Gymkhana on Friday, June 20, to deliver a talk.

His most recent book, The Goddess of Indus, is a piece of fiction. This is his first attempt at fiction; his writings are usually nonfiction.

Ahmad also brings more than 30 years of experience in clinical psychology and has taught psychology at the university level. In addition, he has extensively studied gender studies, particularly gender-based violence and masculinity, an area in which he has conducted groundbreaking research.

His book talks about how the land of the Indus had been marred by invasions, conflicts, loot and plunder, starting from the aryans continuing into the present day.

In the political struggle for power, we are socially torn apart. There is a conflict within people based on hatred, bigotry and intolerance. Yet despite these divisions, there has been no big civil war or explosion within society. It dwells on a peaceful coexistence.

This raises an important question. What has held people together through centuries of turmoil? According to Ahmad, the answer lies in Sufism. Sufism cut across all religions, cast, colour and creed.

Ahmad reflected on the nature of the sacred, suggesting that it is often found in life’s small moments of happiness. Referring to history, he noted how the Sikhs were pushed towards militancy under particular circumstances, illustrating the complex relationship between spirituality and conflict.

The primary thematic concern of the book was the imminent spirituality that bound us; the physical and spiritual were one. The flesh and the spirit were united and inseparable. The flesh weakens the spirit. Yet you can’t separate the 2. It is in the middle of the flesh that spirituality is found.

“The spirit,” he said, “can be found in the flow of water and in the blowing of the wind.”

Perhaps the most captivating part of the talk came when Ahmad advised the audience to “wear your religion lightly, like a garment. Do not attach it to your skin.” The statement  reflects upon and stresses religious tolerance.

Ahmed talks of love and seeing the sacred in your everyday life. He stresses to ‘wear your truth lightly.’

The speaker also studied eastern spirituality. In the context of spirituality, he was of the view:

“These are things to experience, not to write about. What is the actual experience of spirituality beyond the story, the explanation and the rationalisation?”

Ahmad then questions how do you feel a spiritual awakening? Through the deeper cleansing of the ego, opening of the heart and the ability to connect with pain and emotions. And to be moved by nature.

To conclude, he combines spirituality and the physicality to reach the ultimate truth and reality.